The document summarizes information about Philosophy for Children (P4C). It discusses how P4C aims to help children become more thoughtful, reflective, considerate, and reasonable individuals rather than turning them into philosophers. It provides an example of the typical format used for P4C discussions and notes how creating cognitive conflict is key to developing critical thinking skills. The document also shares quotes from Socrates about wisdom and philosophy.

1. The AISNSW Indian conference is
supported by the NSW Government
Philosophy for Children (P4C)
www.p4c.com
www.facebook.com/ChallengingLearning
@JamesNottinghm

2. P4C and thinking skills
“No programme I am aware of
is more likely to teach durable
and transferable thinking skills
than Philosophy for Children”
Robert Sternberg
President of the American Psychological Association
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

3. P4C – Created by Matthew Lipman
The aim of a thinking
skills programme such
as P4C is not to turn
children into
philosophers but to
help them become
more thoughtful, more
reflective, more
considerate and more
reason-able
individuals
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

4. "The child does not become social by learning.
He must be social in order to learn."
(George Herbert Mead)

5. Collaborative
Community
Caring
of
Critical
Inquiry
Creative

6. The AISNSW Indian conference is
supported by the NSW Government

9. One way to summarise P4C …
Not all of our questions
answered …
… but all of our answers
questioned
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

10. Typical format for P4C
1. Sit in a circle
2. Warm-up game
3. Story (or other stimulus)
4. Identify the concepts
5. Create (philosophical) questions
6. Vote for the best (or favourite) question
7. Share first thoughts
8. Ask for reasons
9. Check for understanding
10. Create cognitive conflict around the concept
11. Compare the concept with other concepts
12. Draw conclusions
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

11. Creating a Community of Inquiry
From www.p4c.com  Standing up
P4C Craft game
 Repeat what
someone else said
 Paraphrase what
someone else said
 Add to what
someone else said
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

12. The Gruffalo
By Donaldson & Scheffler

13. Children are natural philosophers
However … this
doesn’t mean adults
are able to spot when
they are being
philosophical and
when they’re just
being cute!
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

14. Example question starters
What is …
How do we know what is … Who decides what is …
What if …
Always or never
When would …
What is the difference between …
Is it possible to …
Should we …

15. Cognitive conflict is key to critical thinking
I’m not Bob if
If I wear I just have a
this hat, I name badge
am Bob
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

16. Wobblers (If A = B)
Friend Play with
If A = B then
Does B = A?
Play with Friend
For example …
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

17. Kriticos = able to make judgments
Critical Thinking
Comes from Greek,
Kriticos
Meaning: able to make
judgments
Source:
www.etymonline.com
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

18. Quotes from Socrates (469 – 399 BC)
1. The only true wisdom is in knowing you know
nothing
2. The unexamined life is not worth living
3. Wisdom begins in wonder
4. It is not living that matters, but living rightly
5. True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the
world around us
6. By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll
become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a
philosopher
© The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

19. Next Steps?
ChallengingLearning.com
james@p4c.com
@JamesNottinghm
Facebook.com/ChallengingLearning